Centipedegrass (Eremochloa ophiuroides) arrived in the U.S. from China in 1916. It is a slow growing grass that creeps along the ground with the aid of above ground shoots, called stolons. Short, upright stems resemble a centipede, hence the name centipedegrass. Read More

Buffalograss (Buchloe dactyloidesis) is the grass of the Great Plains. It is one of the true native grasses, one that buffalo grazed on back when they roamed the plains. These days it is grown for its drought tolerance and its ability to adapt to clay soil and other tough conditions. It requires 50% less water than does bluegrass and fescue and like Kentucky Bluegrass, will go into dormancy when conditions are very dry and green up after a good rain. Read More

As I sit here with my morning coffee, local nurseries are setting up their plant stands at stores like Lowe’s, Wal-Mart and Home Depot.  This is an exciting time of the year for us gardeners, anxious to see the tried and true varieties, as well as, any new offerings of flowers and vegetables. Read More

Zoysiagrass (Zoysia species) is a superior lawn turf, assuming it is properly maintained. It forms a dense carpet of turf that is attractive and desirable for golf courses, lawns and parks. It spreads somewhat slower than other turf types therefore recovering from damage can take longer. Read More

St. Augustine grass (Stenotaphrum secundatum), like Bermuda, is a favorite of the warmer climates. It is native to the tropics and is commonly grown along the fringes of swamps and seashores in the United States. Read More

Bermuda grass (Cynodon dactylon.) forms a beautiful, dense stand of turf grass making it a great choice for lawns, athletic fields, golf courses and and even pastures. Most species are moderately drought and salt tolerant and while it thrives in the hotter southern part of the U.S., it also is somewhat cold tolerant. Read More

If you’re looking to brighten up your yard and have eye-popping flowers available to display in a vase, plant ranunculus. Ranunculus comes in a rainbow worth of color for the home gardener and would- be florist. The flowers will bloom most of the summer and can be used to create a simple floral display. The plant will continue to bloom after the flowers have been clipped off; in fact, cutting them back encourages more blooms. Read More

Impatiens should be called the “sheik of the shade garden.” Along with coleus, they’re one of the most adaptable flowers for those areas under trees and the like that don’t get much sun. In fact, it is best to keep them out of full sun, if possible, where they will “wither thusly,” to speak in Shakespearean terms. Read More

Versatile, easy-to-care-for, attractive; these are adjectives that describe the ground cover, dwarf mondo grass. Dwarf mondo grass (Ophiopogon japonicus) can be used in a variety of situations, such as beds and borders, but is an especially good choice for areas that either you don’t want to mow and/or are difficult to mow, like perhaps under a tree or in uneven terrain or a slope where mowing can be difficult. Read More

You might say that pachysandra (Pachysandra terminalis), aka Japanese spurge, is the tough guy in the neighborhood. Once established, pachysandra can take a beating: from the kid’s dropped bikes, drought, you name it. Pachysandra is one of the most common ground covers used in zones 4 and above. Read More